The group reported interim pre-tax losses of £48.1 million against profits of
£52.4 million a year earlier as it also set aside a hefty sum to cover its
exit from the East Coast rail franchise, which is being taken back into
Government hands later this year.

The news adds pressure to embattled National Express as its faces crippling
strike action on the East Anglia line in a two-day walk out starting today.

It is also the focus of a potential bidding battle as suitors circle the
troubled group.

National Express has made provisions of £54.7 million surrounding the East
Coast route from London to Scotland, which it walked away from earlier this
month after failing to renegotiate a deal with the Government.

Re-nationalisation of the line is expected in the second half, according to
National.

The firm stressed today that, having taken legal advice, it was “confident”
the Government could not also seize its East Anglia and c2c franchises and
would fight any moves for cross-default.

National Express is fighting battles on a number of fronts after a torrid past
few weeks that have also seen its chief executive Richard Bowker quit to
take up a new rail job in the United Arab Emirates.

As well as the rail strikes over pay and conditions – which could extend to
six more days in the coming weeks if the dispute is not resolved – National
Express is also fending off takeover approaches.

Its first would-be buyer, larger rival FirstGroup, walked away last week,
citing “uncertainties” surrounding the business following the East Coast
exit.

National is now being eyed by another transport group, Stagecoach, alongside a
consortium led by National’s shareholder, the Spanish Cosmen family, and
private equity giant CVC.

Birmingham-based National today said it had to concentrate first and foremost
on a plan to get the group back on track and refinance its £1.2 billion debt
mountain.

It said it was “evaluating whether value can be achieved for shareholders
through third party approaches to acquire the group”.

But added: “It is important that these are fully assessed for value and
deliverability. However, it remains important for the group to retain its
options to refinance and deliver these priorities.”

On an underlying basis, National said it made half-year profits of £55.7
million, a drop of 42 per cent on the year before.

It is suffering from slower business across its rail business, with lower
passenger numbers and fares amid the recession leaving revenue growth at 1
per cent.